Seminar By: M. Şükrü Hanioğlu
Professor, Princeton University
Garrett Professor in Foreign Affairs, Professor of Near Eastern Studies
Title: Ottoman Jihād or Jihāds: The Ottoman Shīʿī Jihād—The Successful One
Place: C Block Amphitheatre, FEASS
Date and time: Monday, March 21, 11:40 p.m.
This presentation will address the Ottoman efforts aimed at obtaining support from the Shiʽite ‘ulamā of Iraq during the first two years of the First World War.
The presentation will start with a brief examination of the Shiʽite commentaries on the Ottoman holy war declarations against Christian powersprior to the July Crisis of 1914. It will then discuss the extensive
Ottoman efforts to secure support from the non-Hanafi ‘ulamā for the Grand Jihād (Cihad-ı Ekber). It will provide a detailed discussion and analysis regarding the significant fatwās issued by the leading Shiʽite mujtahids of Najaf, Karbala, and Qazimiyya. The presentation will also examine the Ottoman diplomatic and intelligence efforts aimed at securing large-scale Iranian participation in the jihād campaign. Finally, the presentation will discuss the role of the non-Hanafi ‘ulamā in the war effort.
The presentation will primarily draw on Ottoman archival documents and fatwā collections published in Iran, Iraq, and Saudi Arabia.